I am writing as one who has lived among you in America only a little more than
ten years. And I am writing seriously and warningly. Many readers may ask:
"What right has he to speak about things which concern us alone, and which no
newcomer should touch?"
I do not think such a standpoint is justified. One who has grown up in an
environment takes much for granted. On the other hand, one who has come to this
country as a mature person may have a keen eye for everything peculiar and
characteristic. I believe he should speak out freely on what he sees and feels,
for by so doing he may perhaps prove himself useful.
What soon makes the new arrival devoted to this country is the democratic trait
among the people. I am not thinking here so much of the democratic political
constitution of this country, however highly it must be praised. I am thinking
of the relationship between individual people and of the attitude they maintain
toward one another.
In the United States everyone feels assured of his worth as an individual. No
one humbles himself before another person or class. Even the great difference in
wealth, the superior power of a few, cannot undermine this healthy
self-confidence and natural respect for the dignity of one's fellow-man.
There is, however, a somber point in the social outlook of Americans. Their
sense of equality and human dignity is mainly limited to men of white skins.
Even among these there are prejudices of which I as a Jew am clearly conscious;
but they are unimportant in comparison with the attitude of the "Whites" toward
their fellow-citizens of darker complexion, particularly toward Negroes. The
more I feel an American, the more this situation pains me. I can escape the
feeling of complicity in it only by speaking out.
Many a sincere person will answer: "Our attitude towards Negroes is the result
of unfavorable experiences which we have had by living side by side with Negroes
in this country. They are not our equals in intelligence, sense of
responsibility, reliability."
I am firmly convinced that whoever believes this suffers from a fatal
misconception. Your ancestors dragged these black people from their homes by
force; and in the white man's quest for wealth and an easy life they have been
ruthlessly suppressed and exploited, degraded into slavery. The modern prejudice
against Negroes is the result of the desire to maintain this unworthy condition.
The ancient Greeks also had slaves. They were not Negroes but white men who had
been taken captive in war. There could be no talk of racial differences. And yet
Aristotle, one of the great Greek philosophers, declared slaves inferior beings
who were justly subdued and deprived of their liberty. It is clear that he was
enmeshed in a traditional prejudice from which, despite his extraordinary
intellect, he could not free himself.
A large part of our attitude toward things is conditioned by opinions and
emotions which we unconsciously absorb as children from our environment. In
other words, it is tradition—besides inherited aptitudes and qualities—which
makes us what we are. We but rarely reflect how relatively small as compared
with the powerful influence of tradition is the influence of our conscious
thought upon our conduct and convictions.
It would be foolish to despise tradition. But with our growing
self-consciousness and increasing intelligence we must begin to control
tradition and assume a critical attitude toward it, if human relations are ever
to change for the better. We must try to recognize what in our accepted
tradition is damaging to our fate and dignity—and shape our lives accordingly.
I believe that whoever tries to think things through honestly will soon
recognize how unworthy and even fatal is the traditional bias against Negroes.
What, however, can the man of good will do to combat this deeply rooted
prejudice? He must have the courage to set an example by word and deed, and must
watch lest his children become influenced by this racial bias.
I do not believe there is a way in which this deeply entrenched evil can be
quickly healed. But until this goal is reached there is no greater satisfaction
for a just and well-meaning person than the knowledge that he has devoted his
best energies to the service of the good cause.
